The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "filters" ...
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Updated Version of Well Connected Media Tracker
In October 2006, Well Connected, a project of the Center for Public Integrity, updated its Media Tracker. The Tracker is a tool to "identify the source of news and information filtered to their community through newspapers, broadcast, cable, satellite, phone lines and broadband." The Tracker also features political information. This set of stories tells about the new version of Media Tracker, with background stories which profile many of the "top companies in broadcast television, radio, telephone, cellular, cable, broadband and satellite TV and radio."
Tags: Internet; Media Tracker; media ownership; Well Connected; information filters; Center for Public Integrity
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System Error
The Sun used a FOIA request to obtain a declassified version of a 2003 NSA report on Trailblazer, the program designed to "fix the holes" in NSA's information filter. In the report the agency's inspector general found "'inadequate management and oversight' of private contractors and overpayment for the work done." A govenment official told The Sun, "The government has been standing by while the agency has been gradually 'going deaf' as unimportant communications drown out key pieces of information."
Tags: National Security Agency; NSA; Lt. General Keith B. Alexander; Trailblazer; 9/11; post-9/11 investigations; Science Applications International Corporation; SAIC; Freedom of Information Act; FOIA; Fort Meade; Threat Operations Center; Jared Adams; General Michael V. Hayden; FBI's Virtual Case File program; TASC
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Gas Line Explosions
Older soft copper gas lines have been linked to a series of home explosions. Regulators mandate such lines be replaced, but a KTVI investigation found that tens of thousands remain under homes. The homeowners never suspect, because the corrosion and gas leaks usually begin the yard, allowing the scent to be filtered out of the natural gas "as it travels through the soil into the home."
Tags: Gas leaks; homes; dangerous gas lines; at-risk homes; soft copper gas lines
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How to stop it from stalking you
The report explains why spam is so widespread, why is so difficult to trace and what really works to block it. Consumer Reports tested and rated 11 major spam-blocking software and found that ebst software filtered 90 percent of the spam.
Tags: spam; e-mail; AOL; CAN-Spam Act
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Digital Chaperones For Kids
Consumer Reports tested a number of internet filtering software to determine, which, if any, worked best at preventing children from seeing inappropriate material while allowing them access to legitimate sites.
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Liquid Assets: A Water-Policy Critic Tries Going Corporate To Tap New Market
The Wall Street Journal reports on the emerging of a private market "to acquire, store and ship huge quantities of water across the arid region" of Sausalito, California. The story examines the new corporate role of author Marc Reisner, who has become a player in the fledgeling water business. The article looks at factors that can potentially contribute to drought in the West, and examines the industry expectations for agreements, mergers and acquisitions among the largest water companies. The reporter also sheds light on the environmentalists' standpoint and finds that some are opposed, but many welcome a private water market, since it is expected "to bring new efficiencies to the arena, making more water available fro fish and wildlife."
Tags: agriculture; farming; drought; U.S. Filter; Vivendi; subsidies; politics; Vidler Water Co.; environment; wildlife; "Cadillac Desert"; Sierra Club
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The Internet Filter Farce
Nunberg likens internet blocking software to airport security metal detector that miss 40 percent of concealed handguns and beeps at a third of the metal hangers in passengers' suitcases. In this article Nunberg writes how blocking software employed in homes, schools, libraries, and the workplace aren't able to work as promised. He even points out that in many cases blocking software screens out non-offensive or objectionable material such as websites on HIV/AIDS, breast cancer, the gay and lesbian community, and online sex offender registries. Nunberg writes that some of the problems with blocking software is that the software companies themselves filter sites with negative information about their service and that they aren't required to post a list of filtered words and sites, letting people know just how inadequate the software is.
Tags: Internet; blocking software; filters
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On-Line Filters
A WFXT-TV investigation of on-line filters designed to block children's access to certain inappropriate websites reveals that they don't work as well as they're advertised. "As it turns out, filters aren't all that effective and the software companies don't advertise that fact. So parents may not be paying attention to where their kids surf on the web, thinking that filters are keeping them out of adult web sites."
Tags: TAPE; TRANSCRIPT filters; on-line; websites; internet; computers; pornography
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Island fever
An eccentric Welsh couple who filter their drinking water through a sock, have lived alone on a tiny island for three decades. Now, they're fighting to keep it. The opposition: the government of Antigua, two politically connected lawyers and an Asian developer with $300 million to spend. Guess who's winning?
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Pure Deal?
The reporters investigated water filter sales representatives and their high pressure, and sometimes deceitful, tactics. The reporters also investigated the quality of Detroit water and found it satisfactory.
Tags: TAPE